Cap firing device for cigarette package



Dec. 13, 1955 H. B. BERGER CAP FIRING DEVICE FOR CIGARETTE PACKAGE Filed Oct. 2, 1953 INVENTOR.

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CAP FIRING DEVICE FOR CIGARETTE PACKAGE Harry B. Berger, Long Beach, Calif. Application October 2, 1953, Serial No. 383,894

3 Claims. (Cl. 27227) The present invention relates to the field of amusement novelties, and more particularly to a device adapted to be inserted within a conventional cigarette package and detonate an explosive cap when a cigarette is removed from the package.

The purpose of the invention is solely to provide amusement in an entirely harmless manner.

A major object of the invention is to provide a lightweight device of simple construction of a size to snugly fit within the confines of a conventional cigarette package, which when cigarettes are properly arranged in relation thereto, will detonate an explosive cap when a single cigarette projecting from the package is removed.

Another object of the invention is to supply a device for use with a cigarette package that not only holds a projecting cigarette in a natural manner, but which serves as a shelf or false bottom near the upper portion of the package on which a number of relatively short cigarettes are disposed with their upper ends flush with the mouth of the package, thus giving the impression of a freshly opened pack.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an amusement novelty that can be fabricated from standard commercially available materials, does not require elaborate plant facilities for its manufacture, and due to its low cost of production may be merchandised at relatively small cost.

A further object of the present invention is to furnish a device which may be used equally well in a package of cigarettes of ordinary length or with that of the longer or king-size cigarettes, which is adapted to be retailed either as a novelty or used as a premium give-away in stimulating cigarette sales.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device that is so simple to operate that it may easily be used by a child, and is safe in that the cap is completely shielded at the time of explosion by the cigarette package in which the device is disposed.

Yet another object of the invention is to supply a device in which a cap-exploding mechanism is firmly but removably held, which may be removed from said device for repair or replacement as desired.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred form thereof and from the drawing illustrating that form in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the invention when fully loaded within a cigarette package, a substantial portion of which is cut away;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the invention showing the various sized cigarettes used in conjunction therewith, as Well as the bottom thereof and the vertically spaced lugs which cooperate to removably hold the cap-exploding mechanism within the confines of the device;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the device taken on the line 44 of Figure 3; and

2,726,867 Patented Dec. 13, 1955 Figure 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the invention when disposed in a package of king-sized cigarettes.

Referring now to the drawing for the general arrangement of the invention, it will be seen to include a frame F 5 that removably supports a cap-exploding mechanism M in the lower portion thereof, with the frame being of such external dimensions as to snugly fit within the confines of a cigarette package P. in Figure i it will be noted that one full-length cigarette C projects from the package, which cigarette acts as a trigger when withdrawn, permitting the mechanism M to explode the cap;

Frame F, the lower portion of which is open on two sides, is preferably formed from a light-colored plastic material that will blend with the color of the interior of the cigarette package in which the invention is disposed. The frame embodies a rectangular base 10 from which an end piece 11 and side piece 12 extend upwardly. An upwardly positioned partial end piece 13 extends outwardly from the free end of side piece 12, and is joined by a partial side piece 14 connected to end piece ll. End piece 13 and side piece 14 are parallel to end piece 11 and side piece 12, and in substantial alignment with the free edges of base 10.

A vertically disposed rectangular partition 15 is intermediately disposed between the side piece 14 and the upper portion of side piece E2. The ends of partition 15 are rigidly aflixed to the interior faces of end pieces 11 and 13. it will be seen in Figures 2 and 4 that a horizontal shelf 16 is joined to the lower end of partition 15 and the interior faces of end pieces 11 and 13, as well as to side piece 12. A rectangular opening 17 is formed in shelf 16 through which a cigarette C projects downwardly to act as a trigger for mechanism M.

The mechanism M includes an elongate rectangular base 18 that is removably but rigidly suppoed within the confines of frame F between a strip afiixed to bottom 10, and two lugs 20 and 2.1 which are mounted on, or formed as integral parts of side piece 12 and end piece 11 respectively. Lugs 24) and 21 are preferably formed in the triangular configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2, due to the reinforcing value this particular shape affords to the lugs against suddenly applied upward pressure or shock.

Mechanism M utilized with the present invention is a commercially available device in which an explosive cap such as commonly used with toy pistols, is inserted and held in slots 22 formed in the outer ends of two laterally separated flanges 23 extending downwardly from the longitudinal sides of an arm 24. The end of the arm 24 opposite that in which the slots 22 are formed is pivotally supported by a pin 25, which pin is held in a vertically spaced position above base 18 between two ears 26 which project upwardly therefrom. A short rigid member 27 is pivotally supported between flanges 23 by a transversely disposed pin 28 projecting therethrough. Member 27 tends at all times to assume a position parallel to the outwardly disposed portion of the lower face of arm 24 due to a helical spring 29 that is in tension. Mechanism M is placed in the firing position by pivoting member 27 against the tension of spring 29 from a position parallel to the forward under face of arm 24 to a position substantially parallel to the rearward under face thereof. Ann 24 is then disposed'at an upwardly and inwardly extending angle relative to base 18, but not at a sufiiciently great angle that the spring-loaded member 27 is free to pivot forwardly past the upper surface of the base to strike and explode the cap held in slots 22. Arm 24 is prevented from moving upwardly (see Figure l) by means of a second arm 29 pivotally mounted on base 18 by a pin 30, which pin is affixed to the base by ears 31.

The cigarette C snugly engages the opening 17, and due to the frictional resistance afforded thereby, serves as a trigger for mechanism M when the lower end of the V position of the cap in slots 22 is substantially under. op'en-.

ing 17 at the time it explodes, whereby little or no muifling of the noise of explosion will occur.

A realistic appearance is given to the package P in which the invention is contained by cutting a number of cigarettes to short stubs 40, which stubs are positioned in a first compartment 41 defined by the shelf 16, partition .15, side wall 12, and end pieces 13 and 15 of frame F. The stubs 4d are disposed on each side of cigarette C, with the lower ends of the stubs resting on shelf 16, and the upper ends being flush with the top of package P. The balance of package P is filled out with full-length cigarettes C. positioned in a second compartment defined by partition 15, side wall 14, end pieces 11 and 13, and the bottom 10. V J

When it is desired to use the invention in a king-size package ofcigarettes, the same frame F may be utilized, but it is held at the desired elevation within the package by placing paper, cardboard, or like material 43 below bottom it of frame F, as may best be seen in Figure 6.

The operation of the invention is extremely simple. Cigarettes are first removed from the package P in which they are merchandised, and the frame F inserted in the package. The frame F prior to being inserted in package P is loaded with the stubs 4t) and cigarettes C to give a realistic appearance to the converted package.

Thereafter acap is inserted'in slots 22 of mechanism M and the mechanism then placed in an actuatable condition as previously explained, with a cigarette C extending downwardly through opening 17 to act as the trigger. When the cigarette C is withdrawn from the package, the spring-loaded member 27 may pivot past base 18, causing explosion of the cap. Explosion of the cap is perfectly safe, as at the time of explosion-it is shielded within package P. r

Although the invention herein shown anddescribed is fully capable of providing the objects-and advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to be clearly understood J that it is merely the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not to be limited to the details of construction herein shown and described, other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

' 1. An amusement device for use with an empty cigarette package, a full-length cigarette, a plurality of stub-length cigarettes, and a cap, comprising: a frame disposable within the confines of said cigarette package;

a cap-firing device disposed at the lower portion of said frame for receiving said cap; a horizontal shelf disposed at the intermediate portion of said frame; and, an opening formed in said shelf for frictionallyengaging the sides of said full-length cigarette, the lower end of the latter engaging said cap-firing device and the upper end thereof adapted to protrude above the top of said cigarette package, and said stub-size cigarettes adapted to be supported by said shelf with their upper ends flush with the top of said cigarette package, said full length cigarette acting as a trigger in actuating said cap firing device when it is moved upwardly from said package.

2. An amusement device for use with an empty cigarette package; a plurality of full-length cigarettes; a plurality of stub-length cigarettes, and a cap, comprising: an open-topped frame disposable within the confines of said package; a cap-firing device disposedat the'lower portion of said frame for'receivinglsaid ca a vertical partition formed on said frame and bisecting it longiof said frame remote from said shelf with their upper ends flush with the top of said package, and said stub-size.

cigarettes adapted to be supported by said shelf with their upper ends flush with. the top of said cigarette package, said full length cigarette acting as atrigger in actuating said cap firing device when it is moved upwardly from said package. 7

3. An amusement device for use with an empty cigarette package; a plurality of full-length cigarettes; a plurality of stub-length cigarettes, and a cap, comprising: a substantially rectangular frame having a 7 bottom, an end piece and side piece which extend upwardly therefrom, said end piece and said side piece supporting a partial end piece and a partial side piece from the upper portions thereof; a partition intermediately disposed'and longitudinally extending between said partial side piece and the upper portion of said side piece; a shelf extending from the lower edge of said partition to the inner faces of said side piece, said end piece, and the lower edge of said partial end piece, with said shelf having an opening that frictionally engages one of said full-size cigarettes passing downwardly therethrough, the lower end of the'latter engaging said cap-firing device and the upper end thereof adapted to protrude above the top of said package, said shelf, partition, side piece and end pieces defining a first compartment wherein said stub-length cigarettes may be positioned with their upper ends flush with the top of said cigarette package, and said partition defining a second partially open compartment in conjunction with said bottom, end piece, partial end piece, and partial side piece wherein the remainder of said full-length cigarettes may be disposed with their upper ends fiush with the top of said cigarette package, said first-mentioned full-length cigarette acting as a trigger in actuating said cap-firing device when it is moved upwardly from said package.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS V De Moulin Apr. 29, 1902 

